Changing the 'changing of the guard' Changing the 'changing of the guard' (October 08, 2003)

Freeman, Kishimoto want to change way mayor is appointed

by Bill D'Agostino

Two City Council members want to change the way the city appoints its mayor, reopening an old political battle less than a month away from the Nov. 4 election.

The timing is "unfortunate," said Councilwoman Yoriko Kishimoto, one of the two officials who wrote a memo asking for the change. But to make the adjustment "by the time we elect a new mayor," the council has to discuss the issue now, said Councilwoman Hillary Freeman, the memo's co-author.

The nine-member council votes for a new mayor at the first meeting of every calendar year, traditionally rotating the position among its most senior members. The same night of the election, there is a public celebration, including catered food and a short theatrical skit.

The two councilwomen want to separate the mayor's election from the festivity. That way, there can be a "chance to have an open discussion," Kishimoto said.

Kishimoto's comment harkened back to earlier this year, when Councilwoman Dena Mossar was unanimously appointed mayor. Before that moment of unity, two council members -- Freeman and Nancy Lytle -- challenged Mossar's credentials.

Citing past political battles, Lytle said "additional training in ethics, management, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution and team building is required for this mayoral candidate as she enters her term as mayor."

Freeman asked Mossar her opinion of five different leadership qualities. Mossar refused to answer until after the vote was taken.

Those actions shocked many on the council and in the audience, who were accustomed to the traditionally celebratory tone of the City Council's "changing of the guard."

Councilman Jim Burch argued the statements and questions issued by Lytle and Freeman were "inappropriate" and "showed an incredible lack of civility and dignity." Instead of challenging Mossar, the two should have nominated someone else for the job and voted for them instead, Burch said.

At the time, Freeman and Lytle argued that because the election of the mayor was a political event, they had a right and responsibility to quiz the mayoral candidate.

But last week, Freeman said the suggestion to change the process is "forward thinking. I'm not intending to rehash the past.

"It has nothing to do with the election," she said. "That's a far-reaching attempt to make something out of nothing."

Others aren't so sure.

"Of course" the suggestion's timing is tied to the upcoming election, Burch said, declining to add any specifics. "You can figure it out."

Four council members are up for re-election this year, including Mossar and Lytle, but not Freeman, Kishimoto or Burch.

Does Burch think there's a chance to find a compromise between the two sides?

"I think there's a place for compromise and working together if there's an indication that people want to work together," he said. But that isn't the case in this situation.

"Again, it's a case of if you don't get your way, you want to change the procedure," he said.

The council was scheduled to discuss the matter Tuesday night, after the Weekly went to press.

Bill D'Agostino can be e-mailed at bdagostino@paweekly.com